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LONDON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - The British government plans to
warn holidaymakers against visiting popular tourist destinations
such as Spain because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic,
the Times reported on Monday.
Such a step could trigger an exodus of about a million
British tourists already abroad, cause further damage to the
travel sector and deal a new blow to southern Europe's summer
tourist season.
The Times did not specify what particular concerns Britain
had about Spain. Madrid has been hit by the more infectious
Delta coronavirus variant, but its rolling seven-day infection
rate dropped throughout last week.
Britain has double vaccinated a higher proportion of its
population against COVID-19 than most other countries, but the
government has prevented travel to many countries by imposing
rules that the travel industry says is hobbling the economy.
A spokesperson for Britain's transport ministry declined to
comment on The Times report, published on the day when rules
were eased for double-vaccinated travellers from the United
States and most of Europe.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's travel rules have angered
some of Britain's European allies, frustrated millions of
sun-seeking Britons and brought warnings from airports, airlines
and tour companies.
In a letter to Johnson that was leaked to media, finance
minister Rishi Sunak called for an urgent easing of travel
restrictions.
Under rules to be reviewed on Thursday, double-vaccinated
travellers can return without quarantining from countries rated
"amber" on a "traffic-light" list assessing the COVID-19 risk.
Those returning from red-list countries - the most severe
risk - must pay 1,750 pounds ($2,436) to spend 10 days in a
hotel.
An amber watchlist was due to be signed off on Thursday but
a split in the government could delay a decision, The Times
said.
Spain would be put on the new list under the plans, the
Times said. It is unclear what the plans are for two other
popular tourist destinations, Greece and Italy.
Citing the threat posed by the Beta coronavirus variant,
England has maintained quarantine rules for double-vaccinated
travellers from France, while scrapping the requirement for
travellers from other medium-risk "amber" countries.
France has complained, saying the bulk of its Beta variant
cases come from the island of La Reunion in the Indian Ocean.
($1 = 0.7183 pounds)
(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Kate Holton and
Timothy Heritage)
